This image is a representation of the many faces and forces of nature personified by Native American culture. Through their imaginative use of designs and symbolism, indigenous deities and regional icons almost come to life as portrayed by dancers and religious leaders. One of the most sacred is the Buffalo, its life and survival parallels the Tribes very own existence, for at one time it was believed, if the buffalo died off so did humankind.

The powerful and billowing clouds transports the Buffalo Guardian, whose rhythmic tempo is inspired from the rumbling echoes from the thunderstorm, soon He begins dancing.  With every step lightning flashes out of the dark clouds and earth-shaking thunder roars. He shakes the rattle and rain falls as he sweeps the rattle back and forth. He has come not just to bring the much needed rain but he has come to gather up all the animal spirits that have given their life, in one way or another. Death comes so that new life may enter the world, that’s the circle. He will release those spirits to run free in their eternal home when He returns to the heavens.

Written by Fernando Padilla, Jr. © 1997 Padilla of San Felipe.

“Thunder on the Plains” is available as an open edition fine art print, framed to 8×10 inches for $60 or framed to 11×14 for $95.

To Purchase Prints and Originals, Please Visit Our New Store -Katishtya Trails Mercantile, LLC

“Of Earth and Sky”

Acrylic on panel (36”x40”)

We are fascinated by the mystique kivas arouse in us. This particular Kiva mural of “Parrot Woman” from Pottery Mounds has been reproduced and re-done numerous times over the centuries but the mysterious beauty that surrounds her never wears out. We may never know the truth behind why she is showing us these things but if we knew, would it change us? In any case she is a significant spiritual figure, enduring the test of time to bring us her story that we are a part of a larger family of cultures.

Sometimes it takes looking to see what someone doesn’t communicate to us about their life, which in essence becomes the story they are telling us about ourselves. That’s what Kiva murals should do for us, open the portals of time to simply reflect people living life, with all its unknowns, and telling us what it means to them. We see they too, seek the Divine presence to guide them. That spiritual Divine presence always brings us to others that we may share humankinds’ story of diverse oneness collectively.

We see the power of the Divine Spirit moving around us in the world, but like the winds, we may not be able to see where it comes from or where it is going. We also have changed the world around us, and in our pursuit of dominion over creation, we forget that the essence of the Divine is still here.
Kivas can bring us back to earth so that we may reach for the heavens, they remind us to “not forget” our stories, to “not forget” our communities of family, and to “not forget” we will never be the only ones here.

Written by Fernando Padilla, Jr.; Padilla of San Felipe © 2008.

Framed in a black metal frame for hanging.  Retail price is $3000

SOLD – In the Collection of Buffalo Thunder Resort